rekindledtitan | Excerpt 006: Aggressive Defence

Entry tags:

Excerpt 006: Aggressive Defence

TYPE: Personal log

LOCATION: The Last City, Earth

PARTIES: Three [3]. One [1] Ghost-type, [1] Guardian-type, designate Blaze-37, Class Titan [

rekindledtitan], One [1] Unconfirmed, designate Rogers, Steve [

juststeverogers]

ASSOCIATIONS: Multiversal Nexus; Rogers, Steve; Harrowheart; Earth; Ixis Naugus; Blaze-37; Shaxx

You can’t teleport straight into the Tower, so once again Blaze and Ghost are bringing a guest aboard their ship. The Exo stands back a step as the materialize, not wanting to crowd their human friend in the cramped interior.

“So this is our jumpship,” she explains, gesturing at the little cabin. Ghost’s already powering up the lights - and the life-support, which fires up with a hiss of fresh air. It’s fortunate they’ve been keeping the place better heated since their last organic visitors. It looks pretty bare and cold right now, everything that might mark it as a living space tucked away behind patchwork metal plating. “Sorry we have to take the long way round, but on the bright side that means you get to come in the scenic route. Go ahead and take a seat.”

She has to mean the only item of furniture there: the hefty pilot’s seat with its worn padding. Blaze is going to move around it and go right for the cockpit controls. And hey, the interior decor might not be much, but the view from the big forward displays is nothing to sniff at: a sweeping window with the glowing blue curve of Earth visible below, and no atmosphere masking the countless stars above

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"Holy...shit."

It certainly looks a lot bigger than the moon, but then the moon is actually really far away so that's probably a good thing. Steve manages to pick his jaw up off the ground and shake his head to snap out of the awe induced trance he'd been in while staring at the Traveller. Having the view cut off definitely helps. He probably could have stood there all day.

"No I'm...I'm good." He thinks, anyway. Whatever transmatting is. If it was the same as that weird disappearing reappearing thing they did to get here, then at least he's prepared for it this time.

She nods, as she turns, grasping her smaller friend's shoulder just in case. "Get ready to find your feet."

The Exo's hand will be there to stop him falling when they drop onto the flagstones of the main courtyard. The controlled ship atmosphere is abruptly replaced with a rush of clear, cold mountain air, the close ship quarters with open space and - regardless of the hour - the echoing sounds of a busy headquarters. The courtyard sits on multiple levels, one side open toward the City. There's even a grassy lawn on which to sit and watch the world go by beneath the Traveler.

But on every other side are steps that lead to passageways and stairs to upper levels: the low-roofed hut where a gaunt service robot, rather less human-looking than Blaze, is busy sorting packages; the little tent closer to them where a robed fellow with blue skin is sipping his morning tea. There are banners everywhere fluttering from posts, marked with the geometric coat of arms that represents the Guardian classes.

Blaze has seen it much busier, but there are other Guardians going about their business. armored or cloaked or robed. There's a lot of weaponry. But there's laughter and chatter, too, greenery spilling over the walls, a gnarled tree spreading red-leaved branches over the young Warlock sitting among its roots.

"Welcome to the Tower, Steve." She gives him a bright look, Ghost sweeping his gaze around them. "Our, uh, real home."

Steve has been warned it was cold, but he still shivers without meaning to once they're on solid ground again. The breeze goes right through his well worn clothes and messes his hair up and into his face.

The air smells a bit funny, but that's nothing to the slight shortness of breath the altitude will leave him with after only a few minutes on the surface. He hardly notices at first because he's so busy watching all the Guardians wandering about the tower. His head swivels around at every noise, every fragment of conversation and laughter as he tries to take it all in.

"One heck of a home." Steve says softly before turning around to grin up at his friends. "Any chance I can get a coat or cloak or something?"

"Follow me." She leads the way inside, past the small cluster of Guardians around another of the thin, square-headed robots ("Confirmed bounty closed on Exile captain, Sea of Clouds; bounty outstanding for Cabal psions...") and down a low flight of steps. The internal hallways of the Tower tend to be windowless, the walls heavy and solid, painted with signs in English, Portuguese, Chinese. On the other hand they're also wide and well-lit, and the brightly patterned banners persist inside: emblems of legends the Tower still remembers.

"One of our doctors will want to talk to you, but that only should only take a few minutes. I already sent them my scans."

It only takes a few minutes for Blaze to find a very practical storeroom being inventoried by a technician. "Hey, can we get a spare coat for our friend here?"

"No problem, Titan." The man looks Steve over and heads to a crate marked 'S'. "Do you have a favorite color? We have them in blue, red, grey..."

"Hello."

Steve gives the most polite wave he can manage and probably manages to look like the least intimidating thing ever to be in the Tower. Maybe he's Blaze's pet. The world will never know. His face lights up when he's given a choice, and he hardly hesitates a moment before piping up-- "Blue, please."

It may not mean much to the technician but it means the world to Steve. Having a choice in what he wears never gets old to him. Not that he was ever ungrateful for the clothes he had before. The luxury of being able to pick just isn't something he's gotten used to yet.

Once he's bundled up in the coat with the hood pulled up over his head Steve peers up to blaze and Ghost with a slightly hidden smile that's still easy to see on his face somehow.

"Alright! Ready to go."

The technician's not exactly chipper, but he can't help smiling at Steve's face when he hands over the bundled coat. "I hope that helps."

The coat is a slightly more outdoorsy version of those worn by other civilians around the Tower - a technician's coat, waterproofed and padded on the inside. Blaze looks him over and gives a thumbs-up. "Suits you, Steve. All right, one more stop and then we go hunt down a tutor. We'll make it quick."

Said stop is to the doctor's office, alas. But the doctor in question is a mild-mannered fellow who introduces himself as Doctor Saab and is quite happy to talk Steve through what he needs. Which basically is to take a few tiny samples and screen Steve for any alien bugs he might be carrying - or any vulnerability to local ones. Local medicine isn't what it was in the Golden Age but at least he doesn't need more than a pinprick of blood for the screens. He might mention that this is largely confirming the data 'your friend's Ghost' forwarded.

Sorry Steve, Ghost has some gaping blind spots when it comes to matters of personal privacy.

(( Hope this is okay, just didn't want to either spend too long on the security details or skip a chance for Steve-development! ))

Steve has a very long list of things wrong with him Doctor. And that's not even counting the partial hearing loss in one ear or anything he's picked up since coming to the Nexus. He's learned to live with it but he is by no means a healthy man.

Hope reintroducing those 1940s germs of his isn't going to wreck the Tower. For his part though, Steve doesn't seem to mind that Ghost has found some sort of record of his medical history. It's convenient because he can never remember all of it.

Chances are he's going to be vulnerable to whatever super viruses are about here though. Best to be careful. it helps Steve stay calm that the doctor is quite human.

"I'm..uh..not from around here." Steve offers by way of explanation to anything strange in his files.

Edited 2017-01-11 17:09 (UTC)

"I know." The doctor looks away from the computer screen in front of him to give Steve a wry smile. "Don't worry, you're not the first person I've seen with a profile this, er, unusual. I know not to ask exactly how you came in contact with extinct fevers... as long as it wasn't here."

He moves away from staring at the file (mostly the results of scans on Ghost's part). "I used to work with incoming refugees down in the City, when I was training. People from long-isolated groups in every corner of the wilderness. I thought when I came here that I'd already seen the strangest cases the world could throw at us - after all, Guardians don't need doctors." He sounds quite amused by his own naivete.

"So, I see there's a note there indicating you have asthma. Can I ask if you are using some type of inhaler at present? Or any other medication? Have you felt at all short of breath since landing? We're just at a low enough altitude that most people don't have trouble adjusting to the altitude, but you should pace your physical activity for a few hours regardless. Allow your body time to adapt."

"No sir. Not here."

He gives a shake of his head and grips at the ends of his coat sleeves while the doctor goes over the file. Steve just doesn't want to cause trouble is all.

"I uh--I have been for the last year." Since he got to the nexus, that is. "The only treatments available back home were shots or pills. This seems to work better. I uhm...a little bit? I've mostly just been a little light headed."

"I wouldn't worry too much about that," the doctor reassures him. "Okay, Steve, I'm going to give you a quick injection to make sure you're inoculated against the worst bugs you could pick up here, and some pills to take if you start to feel the effects of altitude sickness. Does that sound okay? You can always come back if you'd like to go over anything else or if you have any questions, but I think that will be enough to begin with."

"Yessir."

He's more than used to getting poked with needles and all manner of unpleasant doctory type things that usually come with his visits to medical professionals. Frankly, he's surprised that no one's tried to open him up for science and figure out how in the heck he's still alive with all the junk that's wrong with his body.

Just let him slip the coat off and roll up his sleeve on one of his arms for the doctor.

"More than fine to me. I don't wanna catch anything while I'm here any more than you all want to treat me for it."

The injection Dr. Saab gives him is cold and prickly and comes with a brief sensation of pressure, but there's no visible needle. Once that's done he finds a small canister of pills and double-checks the specifications before he hands it to Steve with a list of instructions on when and how and why to take them.

"If you feel unwell in the next hour, you need to return and see me immediately. And don't exert yourself too much today: sometimes Guardians forget that other people need to rest now and then." The doctor gives him a smile. "Of course, I expect your friend's Ghost will be watching over you as well."

When he sends Steve on his way it's with a friendly hope that he enjoys his visit. Blaze is standing outside, talking to a blue-skinned Warlock in a long green robe while Ghost peeks in through the door. She lifts a hand to greet Steve's return, the Awoken man with her studying the young man with glowing green eyes. "Hey, how did it go? Ready to go talk some weapons design?"

The Warlock coughs for attention and offers Stevea hardened ID card: there's no picture, but his name and the words 'Visitor Pass' are on it in three languages. A Ghost with barred markings on its shell watches from over his shoulder. "Courtesy of the Vanguard, to ensure you don't get lost."

"Oh you know. Shots, warnings that I should be careful, and come see me if there's any side effects. The usual."

Steve is busy tugging his coat back on and rebundling himself to be as warm and toasty as possible. It's now that it's been mentioned that he notices having to breathe harder because of the altitude. Hopefully that will go away as he acclimates.

"Oh, uhm. Hello there sir." He takes the ID card gratefully and gives a bit of a nod. "I appreciate it." It will get tucked away under his bundle of coat in short order so as to ensure he doesn't lose the card.

"Heh, medic stuff." Blaze nods sagely, being an expert on that kind of thing. Clearly.

"My pleasure." The Warlock sweeps a graceful bow, as Awoken are wont to do. Note that you do not have authorization to visit the City at present, but you are welcome here." He glances at Blaze. "I hope you find what you seek."

"Thanks, Urien." Blaze lifts a hand in farewell as he leaves, but her attention is swiftly back on Steve. She claps a hand on his shoulder and leads him back toward the entrance plaza. It's the only way to reach their destination- into the low entrance that lay directly ahead when they first arrived.

"Lord Shaxx keeps his post outside the Vanguards' hall," Blaze explains, possibly overestimating how much sense that will make to Steve. "He oversees the Crucible- live-fire combat training, Guardian on Guardian. He'll want to take a look at your shield, and he'll know who to ask about training."

"I think he knows everyone. He's one of the most senior Guardians in the Tower."

He waits until the Warlock has made his departure before he looks back up to Blaze with one eyebrow raised.

"Hey, what's the difference between here and the City?" He sort of thought that's where they were, but if not there certainly seems to be enough folks hanging around wherever here is. The tower? He's not totally sure. As long as what they need is here he's sure it won't be a trouble.

"So...he's the officer in charge of training the Vanguards?" Steve tries to make sense of her explanation anyway, equating it to what he knows about the army from his own time.

Right now we're inside - well, on - the wall that surrounds the city. The Tower here is home and headquarters for all the Guardians, and the last line of defense between the outside world and the rest of the City. I think the Vanguards just want you to stay where they can keep an eye on you for a while.

"

Blaze nods. "The Wall, the Tower - us - it's all part of the City, but sometimes when we talk about it we mean everything down there." She gestures to her right as they pass one of the open balconies, with the vista of the Traveler and the metropolis below. "Most of it's civilian stuff, anyway. We've never needed to go down there."

Probably ought to visit, one day, but there's always something more pressing, she thinks.

"Training them?" Blaze laughs, tickled by the idea. At least she's quick to explain the joke. "Think he'd love to get them into his arenas, but nah. The Vanguards are our central leadership - sort of like generals, but we don't have the kind of rigid military hierarchies old armies used to. Shaxx kind of answers to them, I think. But the Crucible is his and nobody messes with it."

One thing Steve will soon come to realize about Guardians is that for as dedicated as they are, for as brave and loyal and trustworthy as they are with important matters... their idea of military discipline does not involve standing still, acting with decorum or consistently following orders. (Obeying quarantine is Right Out.)

"Not enough people for that kind of thing? Or just, not that kind of operation?"

It seems bizarre to Steve that they wouldn't have a formal military to combat there varied and many enemies, but they seem to do alright for themselves so it's probably best if Steve doesn't press the issue too terribly much. The last thing he wants to do is accidentally offend anyone.

"Well, you folks may not need training, but I sure do." Steve reaches back and taps at his shield. "I'd like to do a little more than flail aimlessly with it."

"A little of both. With the number of Guardians we've got, it makes more sense to focus on small-unit tactics with largely independent fireteams. About the only time we fight pitched battles is when the City is threatened - and then the Vanguards are in charge, no question."

"That, and Guardians are notoriously, um... independent-minded."

"Mostly the Hunters, but yeah. The way we're chosen doesn't lend itself to training up a regular unit. And we're charged to protect humanity and fight the Darkness, but there's no rule about how. The Vanguards mentor new Guardians, but every one of us follows our own path, serving the Light as we see fit. When we have officers, it's because we choose to follow them. Not like they can force you to obey."

They have to go down a flight or two of low steps, and the lighting is significantly dimmer here. They have to go around a sturdy bulkhead that shields the hall from the wind (and sight lines) outside. A veiled figure watches them with three glowing green eyes from the shadows behind it. Blaze tips a salute to her in respectful greeting and... possibly gets a slight nod in return. It doesn't bother her: that's just Eris. Besides, the other Guardians passing in either direction are quick with a greeting if you catch their eye (or optic, as the case may be).

She's busy shooting an affectionate look at Steve anyhow. "Heh, Shaxx is all about training. Just might take a little while before you're ready for the live-fire type."

"Gosh, you woulda hated the Army back home."

Steve laughs outright but the way he grins at Ghost in particular says he knows what the little bot is so delicately trying to say without actually outright saying it. Still, Blaze has a point. Steve can't think of any kind of drill sergeant no matter how rough and touch that could make Blaze drop and give them twenty pushups or anything else for that matter unless she felt like it.

Come to think of it, he's not even sure the drills would help her out. That may have something to do with the lack of structure here too.

"Ready and willing." He agrees eagerly. Training may be rough work, but it will only make him better.

"Hey, we Exos used to be regular soldiers!" For a certain value of 'regular'. She's not referring to...well, Bryn... either, though there's a pang she has to shove to the back of her thoughts. "The rest of us, though, there's no telling who they were before."

Steve's attitude will stand him in good stead, not least with the likes of Lord Shaxx. They're about to step into the main antechamber to the Vanguards' hall. It's a room wide enough to accommodate one side being taken up by an armored Frame running a small armory on one side; on the other, by a couple of armchairs and couches behind a counter.

Monitoring the holographic screens atop said counter is a Titan bigger and more impressively armored than Blaze. The collar and shoulders of his white and orange armor are lined with shaggy fur, a twisting bull's horn sprouting from the right side of his blank, all-concealing helm. Its twin appears to be missing. Even his Ghost has a bigger shell. The Titan himself is intent on the battles playing out before him: teams of Guardians locked in combat with one another. As they approach, he leans closer and jabs a finger at the comm button beside one image.

"Alpha team is taking point C! Get on them, Bravo!" His voice is smooth, and British-sounding, and softer than one might expect. He switches to another display in time to catch something he likes, and laughs fiercely. "Three down! Excellent!"

Ghost leans toward Steve and whispers, "Shaxx really loves training."

"This....is just simulation, right? They're not really killing each other right?"

Steve shifts on his feet while he watches what he can of the screens that aren't blocked by Shaxx's enormous frame. He's admittedly a little nervous that he won't be good enough comparatively.

Not with seasoned soldiers of so many races and...no. He makes himself take a deep breath. He's here to learn how to do his part. Even if Shaxx refuses to train him, he may be able to watch and learn enough he can try on his own.

It's worth a shot.

"There's nothing more real than the Crucible. Its lessons are harsh, but for a Guardian death in the Crucible is a momentary setback. The Darkness won't be so forgiving." Shaxx speaks with weighty certainty, but his tone isn't unkind. He turns to look his visitors up and down, his Ghost drifting in to keep an eye on the monitors. Blaze salutes cheerfully and gets a nod in reply.

"Titan. Good to see you." His faceless gaze rests on Steve, armored hands resting on his hips. "And you don't look like my usual kind of customer. What can I do for you?"

"This is Steve Rogers, sir. We're looking for a Defender who can teach him how to use a shield."

"..So...they are okay after it's all over."

Steve doesn't want to ask how that works, but considering Blaze's physiology it's probably not the sort of thing that he'd be able to pull off. Best to not get killed in the first place. Or at least try not to.

Steve nods at the introduction before offering a salute. It's the Army salute form his time so it may not be immediately recognizable but the gesture is one of deep respect.

"She's correct sir. I'm looking for training."

It is indeed a very old gesture - but it'a also one Exos tend to use a lot, so Steve unknowingly comes across looking like one of the old mechanoid solders. Shaxx's gaze lifts to Blaze for a moment, probably wondering how much the young human's picked up from her. Blaze and Ghost muddy the waters further by looking rather proud.

"What you're asking is grueling even for a Guardian." Shaxx returns his scrutiny to Steve. "It wouldn't be the Crucible, but it would be dangerous. You've got nerve, I'll give you that. But who are you so eager to fight? And do you really think you're up to the challenge?"

He lifts a hand before Blaze can speak up on her friend's behalf: well-meaning she may be, but these are questions Steve must answer for himself.

"I don't know if I am."

Steve's admission comes before anything else. But he unfastens the shield he has strapped to his back and settles it on his right arm all the same. The crystal reflects the light from Shaxx's screens in the dim room.

"But I've never been given the opportunity to find out before. The world and time I come from is in the middle of a war. The place I met Blaze is safer, but innocent people are still being hurt. I have no right to do any less than anyone else. All I'm asking for is the ability to better survive the situations I will already be putting myself in."

He's got plenty of marks and scars for proof if Shaxx doesn't believe him, but there is nothing but determination and honesty in Steve's conviction.

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Looks good to me!

\o/

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